Desedimentizer



July 4, 1950 Q'MEARA 2,513,352

DESEDIMENTIZER Filed Feb. 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

I ARTHUR A O'MEARA FlG.4-. -4//M W A. A. O'MEARA DESEDIMENTIZER July 4,1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5,- 1946 a B F INVENTOR.

ARTHUR A.O'MEARA FIG.3.

Patented July 4, 1950 2,513,352- I DESEDIMENTIZER.

Arthur A. OMeara, Harrisburg, Pa.

Application February 5, 1946, Serial No. 645 :674

(Granted under the act of' March-S, 1883; as amended April 30, 1928; 370O. G. 757) 4 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governnrentai purposes; without the payment to me ofany royalty thereon.

This" invention refers to machines and more particularly to. thoseadapted for the mixing or de'sediinentation of the contents of vessels.

Numerous liquid or fluid materials storable in containers: are subjectto sedimentation if stored so as to be relatively still and allowed tosettle for"a= considerable length of time. During this processwhich isrelatively slow, other mechanical andp-hysica'l processes are apt tooccur which dete'riorate the contents and make them wholly'orpartiailyunsuitable for their intended use. After the primaryperiod ofsettling hasoccurred, the initial sedimentationv is augmented by moresedimentatioirand thesediment becomesmore compact. It isapt to; stratifyinto a cake or layer, thatis: relatively dry and solidified, while theliquid-vehicle proper becomes thin and. Watery. Astime proceeds, thecake becomes harder and more stratified, while the" liquid becomes morethin. However it-has been found desirable to interriuittheprocess ofprecipitation periodically bysuitableagitation. A critical-settling timebeing-- determined, and the liquid mixture regularly agitatedenergetically within such time, to produceanv intimate mixture again ofliquid and-ingradients; the. mixture will. remain in a suitable normalcondition of admixture and diffusion'for a further suspension period,during which it will be suitable for its.- designat-ed purpose. Ithasbeen ioundthat a most effective way of accomplishing this periodicalprecipitation, is derived by the single simple inversion ofthe containerwithin the critical period and preferably facilitated by a sharp. jolt.

The-inversion of, the package starts the process of desedimentationtheoreticallvbut actually the moleculesgothrough a type of. Brownianmovementor molecular diffusion. The solid ingredient molecules generallyfollow indefinite and erratic lines. oftravel. as they bump, attract,repel and otherwise motivate around in vehicular space. The onlydefinite practical idea of its eventual efiect itsobtained from theproximate established critical period of settlement, empiricallyderived, and'the basis given by a recently proposed physical formula ofthe kinetic theory of molecules. This variably dependsto-a certainextent on the quantity of. .rnaterial. involved. temperature,- its depthand some other mechanical values of its volume. For milk,.the period isjust about 30 days, so inversion after 2.0 days is at present,considered satisfactory. Theperiods are usually determined empiricallyaccording to the conditions involved", and the particularmaterials inthe:containers. given the inversion or turn-over action .to

suit'.- The results sought'by such turn-over are;

a desedimentation, reduced deterioration, a more harmoniously mixedproduct, expeditious manipulationand avoidance of wastage and mechanicalinjury. Inrprevious methods, thiswas not obtain.- able in apractical Wayand enormous financial losses were incurred.

In a particular method'employed for desedimentation of liqui'd paints,inverting milk,and creating other mechanical liquid disturbances of thecontents ofvessels, it has heretofore beencustomary to physically liftthe containers individually and then upset or shake them so that'thesediment or colloidal deposit will detach and leave theibottcm to mixthrough the liquid itself again, a-ndagain go into suspension, which itcan deter a definite period of time, critical for each'mate rial. ln'the'case of' milk, as already stated, the contents. shouldbe'invertedionce every 20 days. Paints and other: sedim'entising liquidsmay re:-

quire longer or shorter periodsdependingon their individual physicalcharacteristics.

The prior method, performed by hand, is laborious, tedious,andtime-taking. It has; the disadvantage that it does not do such a goodjobof redifi-usionas the materialsrequire.

It is an objectof the invention to provideanew and improveddesedimentizing machine foricontainersholding liquids thatwill'avoi'done or more of the disadvantages'and limitations of the priorart.- I

An additional obj ectof this invention is to pro+ vide a: new andimproved desedimentizing machine that will: becapable of effectivelyhandling simultaneously-a large number of containers or cases containingthe containers and holding them securely while they are being turned.

Another object of the present invention isto provide. a new and improvedmixing machine that will. be suitable for use with pallets and pallettrucks; Which-will do thework expeditiously an require a minimum amountof handling.

For a better understanding of this invention and-for other objectsthereof, reference is made to the-- appended drawings andwthe-follcwingdescription, in. which an example of this invention is illustrated,while the scope of the invention is particularly pointed out in the,claims:

In the. drawings:

Figure 1-. representsa side elevation'ofa, mixing machine employing thisinvention,

Figure 2 is an end viewof Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a, detail. of the mechanism used for holding anddisconnecting the palletsfrom the 1 mixing machine.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of one possible conventional switchcircuit.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout thedrawings.

In the particular form of construction shown in the drawings, a rotatingframe Ill consists of an open spider structure, having peripheralcircular,

coaxial rims II spaced horizontally apart and carrying a truss-work I2by which a rectangular box I3 is fixed symmetrically within the rims.

1 The box is open on both sides of the frame and of i such size as toreceive horizontal pallets l4 and I5,

shown respectively at bottom and top. The palj lets, open at two sides,fit easily in the box and can be set in or removed" by the tongues of afamiliar pallet elevation truck in a; conventional manner. A clawmechanism at top and bottom 'of the box I3 on each side includes a shaftI6 having radial operating crank arms I6 at its extremity to operateL-shaped claws I'I fixed and spaced appropriately on the shaft. Theclaws engage within open sides of the two pallets at one position of theshafts and prevent pallet move- I ment in the box as the pallets movethrough the upper parts of their travel with the box.

At the lower horizontal or loading position only,

.the pallet is disengaged automatically by the claws-I1 so it can bereadily removed by the jack itonguesof a conventional elevation truck. A

itorsion spring IB engaged with the shaft I5 and anchored to the box(Fig. 3), tends to keep the claws in the engaging position when notmechanic'ally moved by an operating arm I9, of which thereis one foreach of two shafts I6 at each end -.of the machine and two like arms.This arm I9 is installed on a standard I9 erected on a truck base 20having elevated side strings 20' forming the general support for theframe Ill. Each arm 19 is in the line of downward travel of arespectivecrank I6 fixed on the shaft I6, and so en- 'gages an'd rotatesthe latter in a direction counter to the action of the spring I8,swinging'the claws clearof the pallet. The spider moves in half-"revolutions and automatically reverses likewise after each half turn bymanual switching. This is arranged for by a wiper or presser 22 actingagainst a plunger of a switch 23 (both formally illustrated) that throwspower off the driving motor 24, and by two pairs of buffers or chocks 25on the rims I I.

One pair of buffers come against the peripheries of respective drivingrollers 26 of two pairs that support and drive the rims II. Since thecontact of the rollers 26 with the rails is frictional, no considerablemechanical stresses are involved when the buffers or chocks 25 engage,

I even if motor is running. The result would be simply a slipping one.It does however make the stopping places in definite and uniformlocations.

"The rollers 26 are mounted on transverse shafts arm I9, is shown incontact with its respective "handle, that is a part of the mechanism I6and 1 claws I'I.

Normally, it is torsionallytensioned to bind against the pallet, withinthe box-like structure I3. When at the bottom position of the travel ofthe spider, the stationary arm I9, on the rigid supporting frame of themachine, is brought into contact with the handle and arcuately moves it.The shaft I6 and claws II will be rotated thereby in a direction awayfrom binding the pallet, and leaves it loosely resting onthe bottom sideof the box I3. The pallet may then be removed, or replaced with another.

As may be seen in Fig. 2, the cranks I6 have two principal positions, inboth of which they are inclined inwardly of the planes of the rims II,and the lengths of the shafts I6 are such that the cranks are spacedconsiderably outward of the rims of the spider. The springs I8 operatenormally to hold the cranks extending at an angle of approximately 45degrees across the plane of the adjacent rim and away from therespective presser 22 as in full lines at the top of Figs. 2 and 3. Theoperating-arms I9 may be simple bars fixed on the standards I9 inwardlyof the planes of respectiverims II. As these cranks approach respectiverollers 26, they are pointed downwardly, and extend inwardly of theoperating arms I9. The latter being rigid and stationary, wipinglyengage and cam the cranks inwardly and upwardly as the spider moves,until the cranks reach a claw-opening position somewhat more than ninetydegrees from their initial position with respect to the axis of theshaft I6, as shown in full lines at the lower part of Fig. 2 and dottedat the upper part of Fig. 2, and in Fig. 3. When operation of themachine is there- 'after reversed and as the cranks consequentlywithdraw from the arms I9, the spring I8 becomes effective to engage theclaws, as before explained.

There are two of the switches 23, one at each end of the machine, eachoperable both manually and by two pressers 22 mounted on the spiderframe, spaced apart and inverted with respect to each otherintermediately of the peripherally spaced pairs of buffers 25. Thepressers are so arranged that they will, in advancing downward, open arespective switch just as the adjacent pair of buffers 25 engages theadjacent rollers 26. The switches '23 are preferably of a pushbuttontype and may be double pole reversing type switches thrown from a firstposition to the other on one ,operation, and then, on a successiveoperation I In starting the machine with the box I3 empty,

one of the shafts It at the front, and another at the back of themachine, will be at the lower side of the spider, and the other twoshafts I6 at the top. The cranks I6 of the lower shafts will be engagedand the claws II held open by the operating arms IS. A pallet I5 is nowlaid in the bottom of the box, flush at both front and back with theends of the box. Assuming that the cranks I6 are at the left end of themachine, the

right hand switch 22 is then operated manually to start the motor. Thisresults in the spider and box (empty except for the single pallet) beingrotated half a turn clockwise until the right hand switch 23 is engagedby the advanced descending presser 22, stopping the machine with thenewly placed pallet at the topof the box. In the first part of thismovement the cranks I6 at the lower left side of the machine, becomefreed and the spring I8 is permitted to operate the shaft l6 and claws11 so as to engage and hold the pallet firmly against the underlyingside of the box. As the spider nears completion of this clockwise halfturn, the other pair of cranks l6 which were at the left upper side ofthe spider are advancing downwardly and they engage the right hand arms19 and are operated to move and clear the respece tive claws. Anelevating truck with a load-of containers stacked on another pallet 14is now driven to the front open end of the box 13, and the loaddeposited therein with its supporting pallet flush with the edges of thebox as before. The top of the stack of containers will then be spacedseveral inches from the top pallet, as indicated in Fig. 1. Afterwithdrawal of the truck, the left hand switch 23 is next manuallyoperated by its hand button, closing the reversing circuit to the motor.As rotation counterclockwise occurs the load-carrying pallet I4 isgripped as before described, as soon as the spider has been rotated afew degrees, and as the load nears inverted position it slips abruptlydownward onto the pallet 15 which was at the top at the time of loading.This communicates a slight shock to the load of containers which,together with the inversion which has occurred, initiatesdesedimentation, as indicated. The inverted load is then removedpreferably from the opposite or rear side of the machine by an elevatortruck brought into position to engage the pallet 15 which is at themoment on the bottom carrying the load of containers. This leaves thepallet M at the top held against the top of the box, and no pallet atthe bottom. By reloading as before, and repetition of the switchoperations, unloading and loading on each half turn of the spider, thereis thus always a ready pallet held at the top of the opening through thebox l3, and unloading and loading may occur on each half turn of thespider.

The removed load and its supporting pallet are stored away on its palletuntil shipped, or until expiration of the assigned period for itsdesedimentation again, when it is again loaded in the desedimentizer,inverted, and restored. The whole machine may be moved on its wheels tothe most convenient location for receiving the goods to bedesedimentized, and to reduce the amount of travel required by theloading and unloading trucks.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be a newand improved embodiment of this invention, it will be noted that variouschanges and modifications may be made thereon without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, as sought to be defined in thefollowing claims.

What I claim is:

1. A desedimentizer comprising a skeleton circular spider frame having arectangular box-like axial opening therethrough formed with two parallelload-carrying walls and constructed to receive slidably through at leastone side of the frame on to a lower one of said walls and to holdthereon a stack comprising a pallet and plurality of containers thereontogether conforming generally to said opening, the said walls includingrespective releasable means to hold a pallet thereagainst in the openingto define the effective clearance between said walls and the upper onespaced over such stack, a supporting roller mechanism under said spiderfor frictionally operating it rotatively, motor means for driving saidmechanism, a second mechanism operated by the said spider in limitedparts of its rotation to automatically control the motor means whenoperating so as to limit travel of the spider to a position in is travelinverted from its starting position and means to energize said motormeans at will.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein manual means is included operable atwill to initiate operation of said motor means, and said secondmechanism includes a strike member fixed on and projecting from thespider, and a stationary mount having thereon a directional controldevice beside the path of rotation of the spider including a shiftmember in the path of the strike member and movable thereby when thespider is moving and closely approaching said inverted position from aloading position, effective on the motor means in one direction to astarting position for the succeeding operation of the motor means andeffective in an opposite direction to cause rotation of the spider framein a direction opposite that of said approach.

3. The structure of claim 2 including a machine stop for the motormeans, op-eratively connected to said shift member and simultaneouslyoperable with said directional control device, said strike member beingconstructed and arranged in relation to said shift device to hold thelatter against return while said spider is at the respective limit ofits travel.

4. A desedimentizer comprising a base, a circular drum-like framesupported peripherally for rotation in a vertical plane on the base,said drum-like frame having a transverse opening axially therethroughopen to receive therein through the side of the frame a pallet andstacked packages thereon, said desedimentizer having means to grippallets in said frame when moved from 'a loading position at the lowerside of the frame and to automatically release the same when at theleading position, and reversible motive means on said base includingsupporting driving rollers transversely arranged under and frictionallyengaged with the periphery of the frame, to rotate the same, manualcontrol means to apply power to saidmotive means at will; theimprovement comprising means on said base to automatically stop themotive means responsive to movement of the frame in either directionover an angle of degrees from either of two opposite alternative loadingpositions of the frame, and means to control the direction of operationof said motive means independently of said manual control meanscomprising a movable shift device on the base at each side of the saidframe adjacent its periphery and wiper means on the frame positioned toalternately engage and move the shift devices under movement of theframe in respective directions, to reverse its directional control,whereby on successive operations of said manual control means the framewillbe rotated alternately in opposite directions and automaticallystopped in respective loading positions.

ARTHUR A. OMEARA.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,486,609 Schwab Mar. 11, 19241,731,129 Fowler Oct. 8, 1929 1,967,683 Ostrander July 24, 19341,983,052 Spiegel Dec. 4, 1934 2,202,564 Parker May 28, 1940 2,277,310Engelhart Mar. 24, 1942

